Eckert “Forever Grateful” to Southampton for Standing by Him in “Spygate” Saga

Southampton boss Tonda Eckert says he is relieved to finally put the “Spygate” saga behind him, and he will “forever be grateful” for the way the club stood by him.

It was confirmed on Wednesday that Eckert got a suspended six-week ban for his part in Southampton being found guilty of breaking three EFL rules at the end of last season. The club were caught filming a training session of opponents Middlesbrough. 

They were later thrown out of the Championship playoff final and docked four points for this term. The Football Association had pushed for a ban of at least three months, but an independent commission decided otherwise, so the 33-year-old can be on the touchline when Portsmouth visit St Mary’s on Sunday.

Eckert took full responsibility and was charged with three breaches of Rule E3.1 for “misconduct”. Speaking at a news conference, he said getting an answer quickly mattered ahead of a big game. 

“We got a heads-up on Monday,” he said. “It’s a big week for us as a football club. We’re heading into a very important game on Sunday and to have clarity as quick as possible going into such an important game, I think has not just been a relief for me but everyone involved.”

He admitted he was not sure which way it would go. “There was a fair chance that the verdict goes a different way,” he said. “After such a long time, we have verdict from the EFL, we have a verdict now and whatever you expect is not necessary what you get in the end.”

Eckert added: “For me it’s just to hold my head up, one more time I made a mistake and it’s for me to take the consequences.”

When asked about critics who say the punishment is too soft, he had “nothing” to say.

He was happier to talk about the backing he got from owner Dragan Solak and the club. “Obviously it does make a big difference that we can draw a line now. Not just for me but also for the ones close to me,” he said.

He did not hide how hard it had been. “It’s tough. It changes your life. If I was to say it has been all easy from the very [first] moment, it has not but you need to find a way,” Eckert said.

He said the club had to make a call in the summer. “You need to find a conclusion at one point in the summer if you want to continue. That first decision was not for me but was for the club to make,” he said. 

“I said this straight away but it’s for me to say thank you for the support and not just Dragan but the whole board.”

Eckert believes plenty of clubs would have gone a different way. “I think there are many football clubs that take a different decision in the summer,” he said. 

“What makes this club special is that in times that are a lot tougher and especially with a lot of outside pressure, that we come to a decision the way we have done it.”

He finished by saying: “It will be and not just for the moment but that will be something to forever be grateful for.”